Benefits

[Rosenicola]

Hi

Im 4 months pregnant with my first baby. I work and earn 14.000 a year and my boyfriend earns around 13000 a year.

We live in a council house and pay all the usual bills..

Are we entiltled to any benefits once the baby is born or any discount on the rent etc..

I have no idea where to start with this kind of thing. Also if i decide not to go back to work after 9 months maternity pay, would I get any money apart from child allowance...

Last question LOL

When can i actually apply for these benefits and when can I apply for maternity..

Its a lot to ask i know, but just if anyone knows, a brief would be appreciated or even a point in the correct direction with a website, cos i can't seem to find anything

:-)


xxx

[~max~]

Hi, and congrats! :O)
I don't have any advice, but I'm just curious as to how you got a council house when the two of you are working full time?
I'm sure there will be people who can answer your questions, but I think you'd be better off posting in Family or in Law.

[Octavius]

see page 3

http://www.moneybasics.co.uk/images/2183998_12 17883155_Starting%20a%20Family_LR%202008-07-31 %20FINAL.pdf

[redcrx]

Child tax credit, possibly working tax credit, child benefit

thats about it i reckon http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qua lify/WhatAreTaxCredits.aspx

Put some figures into the forms here for an idea http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qua lify/DIQHousehold.aspx

you do realise that your maternity pay isnt that high for the 9 months? 6 weeks at 90% pay then rest at about �100 a week. If your employer pays ou extra on top then you may have to pay it back if you dont return

[pastafreak]

This government website may give you all the info you need as far as benefits are concerned:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/in dex.htm

[terambulan]

Is it ur purpose to have a baby just to and claim off us hard-working tax-payers?

I suspect you'll be able to claim the usuals.....the DSS will tell you......!

Since my taxes will be keeping you & ur babe, that's enuf from me.

[~max~]

Terambulan, she and her man are paying taxes too, you know!
See Rose, that's why you should post this in Family hun.

[daffy654]

Terambulan,she isn't wanting to live off benefits alone,she wants to know if they can claim anything such as Tax Credits to top up the wages that her boyfriend gets.Why are some people so quick to judge and condemn???

[Abdulmajid]

Can anybody explain to me why ME the taxpayer should fund any additional benefits or payments to somebody who makes the choice to have kids?

Even you Rosenicola, can you give me a justifiable reason why I should? You both work, have a council home (ultimately funded by ME again) your maternity care, birth, schooling, health of you and the baby etc etc etc all funded by ME.

I don't wish to sound harsh, but why should the Government pay for me choosing NOT to have kids saving the economy a fortune over time. Or if I choose to take a 16 year sabatical to ski, sail, travel etc etc-MY CHOICE-.

This nanny state make me sick I tell ye, sick.


PS congratulations on the forthcoming birth of the wee bairn. I hope God blesses him or her with good fortune and health. X

[stonekicker]

a bit harsh terabulam...the lady is only asking! as you live in a council place, your rent is dirt cheap anyway and redcrx is right in outlining what is available. with a sprog, you will be poor for the next 18 years (probably life!), so make sure you do claim what you are entitled to. i would be cautious, however, of going on maternity leave or ditching your job until the last minute. it is nice being there for the bubby when they are tiny and growing fast, but you will get bored quickly and may resent having to ask your partner for money all the time if you have no income. work is a good source of independent income, time away from baby and home ans also exclusive of your family life - it may just stop you going insane! good luck in the future x

[terambulan]

I take back what I said.....however, I dont have answers for you.

I never received any Gov monies for my first child. I worked to 1week before he was born and was paid for about a month after...then spouse had to keep us. Only when 2nd child born did I receive family allwance.

I invested the FA into life bonds for my kids and when they reached 21 they had the deposits for their properties.

[~max~]

I totally agree that you shouldn't have children until you can afford it, but Rose and her partner clearly CAN, since they both work. A combined wage of �24K a year is enough to provide for a child. However, wanting a little help from what is available, especially when you have been paying into that fund yourself through taxes, is nothing to be ashamed of. All the best of luck, Rose! x

[tigerlily11]

With things as they are the population is growing older and the young are getting fewer, Lets hope that Abdul continues to have good health for the rest of his life and into old age and never needs any care, because at the rate things are going there will be no care works to look after the elderly and ill in the future.
Good and you Rose and good luck. As pointed out there are goverment sites that can give u help.

[Abdulmajid]

Max my point is, and no disrespect to Rose, is I earn considerable more than their combines wage, pay 40 percent tax and a hell of a lot of CGT over the years.

I have BUPA, a private Doctor and pay max car tax etc etc etc etc. I cost the Govt nothing at all. Not a penny.

Surely I should be paid the benefits in choosing NOT to have kids, surely???

An incentive to help not only the environment but the economy as well.

[Rosenicola]

Hey Guys

I fully expected idiots to jump in with their cheap comments to be honest.

We are currently in the process of buying the house, just waiting for solicitors etc.... But even if i was living in a counci house, i wouldn't be ashamed.. As already stated, I have paid my own tax for the last 9 years thank you very much

I want to go back to work when the baby is around 18 months because thats an age i'd feel comfortable leaving him/her.. I didn't mean benefits such as dole etc, not that I have to explain myself. I mean child tax credit and that sort of stuff - So cos I have paid my tax, I am entilted to something whether i chose to have a baby or not.. God why do some people get on their high horse...

Rant over anyway...

Thankls from the people that actually gave me usful answers.. Its much appreciated

xxx

[Notveryhappy]

Abdulmajid - If your name reflects your race then why should all my taxes go on supporting people from other countries that come over here and take our houses, cars, jobs and everything else - Oh at ten kids per family.

Not being funny, but i'd rather the taxes went on the pay of english childcare than all of the above.

Don't be so harsh and i won't be

[~max~]

It's exactly the point, Abdul, it's your choice not to have kids, but you remain free to have them should you chose to. Thankfully we are not living in some kind of meritocracy, where only the pecuniary successful would be able to have children, but in a society where the poor are provided for, for the good of all. You try to make a living for yourself, whilst contributing to the general wealth of the country. Good for you if you've achieved what you aspired to, but the means should still be there for everyone else to do so too.

[bednobs]

lol

[whiffy]

PMSL !!!!!!

Abdulmajid is Scottish.

[Abdulmajid]

Is it 'cos I is muslim???

Oh dear.


Rose I am confused.

You say in your question WE LIVE IN A COUNCIL HOUSE.

You now say EVEN IF I WAS LIVING IN A COUNCIL HOUSE"..............

Mmmmmm.

Please don't call me an idiot for having an opinion. You posted on CHATTERBANK, not family or law.

Thank you.

[Drisgirl]

Again absolutely no disrespect to Rosenicola but It never ever entered my head that I would be entitled to benefits when having my children.

We both worked -had good incomes and a mortgage of nigh on �500 per month -plus poll Tax -and that was 23yys ago.

I am astonished that anyone feels that the blessing which is having a child should be subsidised by others -we waited until we could afford to have a child -my then husband putting in extra hours to help until I went back to work.It never crossed our minds to seek help from others -ever